Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

SPA’s Sea Land Air (SLA) Division supports a diverse portfolio of national security government clients, including the Undersea Enterprise, the Navy Surface Community, the Navy MPTE Enterprise, the Air Force, Army, DoD Agencies, DARPA, international clients including the Canadian Navy and Australian Defence Force.  Our primary objective is to provide timely, objective and analytic assessments that integrate the policy, operational, technical, programmatic and acquisition aspects of our clients’ challenges.

SLA Division's Veracity Forecasting Group has an immediate need for a cost analyst, skilled in data science or equivalent quantitative field, and 1 or more years professional experience in Cost Estimating. #KS

Cost Estimating responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain cost estimates for equipment or systems with associated software, support equipment and software, and logistics costs in support of the Program Objective Memorandum (POM) process
• Provide cost data to support the development of budgets, Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCE), Total Ownership Costs (TOC), proposed procurement alternatives, Engineering Change Proposals and program/project plans in support of fully developed and approved design and modernization programs
• Provide cost engineering support to program offices in support of Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) process. Conduct analysis of funding requests, develop independent cost estimates for tasking as needed, synthesize funding requests across the program office for analysis of funding allocations at a total level, and create mandatory funding request documentation such as Task Planning Sheets and Spend Plans
• Support the development of Cost Analysis Requirement Documents (CARD) that integrate cost, schedule, technical, and risk requirements into a single document to be used by the program office, and other organizations to perform cost, schedule, and risk analyses
• Conduct of Affordability / Should Cost analyses with the intent of driving efficiencies into estimates and program costs, and provide support in developing engineering cost models to allow for Should Cost
• Provide Earned Value Management (EVM) cost, schedule, and performance management

Most techniques involve the construction of mathematical models that attempt to describe the system being studied. The use of models enables the analyst to assign values to the different components and clarify the relationships among them. The values can be altered to examine what may happen to the system under different circumstances. 

Required Qualifications:

• BS/BA in Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Economic Analysis or related technical degree
• Proficient in Excel and mathematical modeling (during academic courses is fine)
• DoD Secret clearance eligible and the ability to maintain this clearance throughout employment

Desired Qualifications: 

• Classes in in Cost Estimating/Engineering
• Programming language experience (Python, R, etc)
• Experience in DoD acquisition decision support